“Yes.” I squeeze Jensen’s hand. “A partial scholarship.”
“I’ve discussed this with your sister, and I would be honored to sponsor your education. However, you’ll be safest at a private college. I’m on the board of trustees at Greenley College. I can pull some strings to get you in last minute.”.
“Dane…” My hand lifts to my mouth. “Thank you so much.”
“Attend school, follow your heart. Live your life as you planned. You won’t be untraceable, but you’ll be harder to locate. Your contact information will be protected, at least while you’re at Greenley. And I can’t guarantee your family won’t be able to find you, but you’re an adult. They can’t force you to marry someone now. If they try to take you, it’ll be kidnapping. We’ll ensure your electronics and personal effects are outfitted with tracking devices. My gut feeling is that these won’t be necessary, and it might sound a little extreme, but it’s a safety precaution worth exercising, given the instability of your father’s mental state.”
“It’s not as scary as it sounds,” Bellamy adds. “They’re tiny little microchips. You’ll hardly notice them. We’ll put one in your purse, your car. And of course, you’ll get a phone.”
My pulse pounds in my ears. I feel like I’m in a James Bond movie. I don’t think any of that will be necessary, but knowing someone genuinely cares about my well-being and my safety is an unfamiliar sensation.
“What about the next few weeks? Until school starts?” Jensen clears his throat, sitting up straight. “Where will we live?”
Bellamy waves her hand. “Dane is taking care of everything. You’ll spend your final weeks of summer here, at Golden Oak. That will give us time to get you both on your feet.”
“What about you?” I stare at my sister, who suddenly looks so strong and womanly. She’s not quiet or caged; she’s radiant and confident, like she finally stepped into skin that fits.
“I’ll live here, with Dane,” she says, turning to him. His hand lifts to her face, cupping the side of her jaw. A million question stir inside me, and I count down the moments until I can be alone with Bellamy again.
“Mathilde runs the household,” Dane says. “If there’s anything you need, let her know. She’ll be in shortly to give you a tour of the grounds. Please, make yourself at home.”
***
Jensen showers in the palatial bathroom attached to my royal suite. I’m stretched out across the bed, letting the day’s events sink into my skin with an intoxicating drowsiness. My eyelids flutter before heaviness weighs them down.
Knock, knock.
“Come in,” I call out with every ounce of energy I have left. My lids peel apart just enough to see my sister ambling toward me. A tight black dress squeezes her feminine curves, and her hair is swept back into a polished chignon. Diamonds circle her neck and drip from her ears. I swear I’m dreaming.
“Hey.” She slips a dainty hand on her hip before doing a twirl. Her lips dance into a reluctant smile. “How do I look?”
I sit up, rubbing my eyes. “Who are you?”
“Oh, stop.” She waves her hand, flicking her wrist where more diamonds rest in the form of a tennis bracelet.
“Who is Dane?” I realize I’ve been staying here almost two days now, and perhaps my question is a wee bit late, but it’s better late than never.
She fights a smile, as if the mere mention of his name sends her reeling. “He’s my boss.”
I arch my brows. “Just your boss?”
“It’s complicated.”
“He loves you.” I scoot back on the bed, folding my legs and resting my elbows on my knees. “That part is obvious.”
“It’s not that kind of relationship.” Her smile fades, evaporating the second she heard the L-word. “I don’t expect you to understand. It’s a… consensual, adult relationship.”
All this time I believed my older sister was chaste and true, perfect in every way. And it was all a lie. For that reason, I don’t believe her when she implies there is no love between her and Dane.
“Sometimes we do what we have to do in order to survive, and sometimes we surprise ourselves when we realize how far we’re willing to go to set ourselves free.” There’s a wistful drop in her voice, though a crystalline glint colors her irises. “Because of Dane, we get to live our lives exactly the way we want. No polygamy. No AUB. No sneaking around, hiding from the public. Our lives finally belong to us. This is freedom, Waverly. We’re finally free.”
The shower shuts off in the bathroom. Jensen will be out any minute.
“How’d you know about Jensen and me?” All those months, all that sneaking around—I thought we’d been careful.
Bellamy’s red lips part. She tilts her head. “Because you look at him like he’s the greatest thing in the whole world. Amongst other things…”
My cheeks flush, and I bury my face in my palms. It’s as if my diary has been left open for the whole world to read.
“It’s okay,” she says. “You don’t need to be ashamed anymore. We only get one life. If being with Jensen makes you happy, then that’s what you should do.”
A voice buzzes through speakers built into the walls. Of course this place would have an intercom, and of course it would be so well hidden in the décor, I wouldn’t notice it.
“Mademoiselle Miller?” Mathilde’s French accent cuts through the room. “The car is ready.”
“Where are you headed tonight?” I take in another look at my sister, a perfect vision of glamour and refinement. She has transformed into a stranger, though one I’ll ultimately adore and respect.
She picks up the train of her midnight dress, revealing rhinestones covering the four-inch heels on her feet. “I’m accompanying Dane to a private dinner at an associate’s house.”
Bellamy oozes serenity and elegance, and I can see why Dane would want her on his arm. She steps toward me, slipping her arms around my shoulders and leaning in for a hug. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve hugged my sister in the last ten years. We’ve never been touchy-feely, and we’ve certainly rarely shared deep emotions or private moments like this. My eyes close as I breathe her in, her luxurious perfume every bit of what I expected.
“Have fun, Bell.” I hug her back, squeezing harder than I’ve ever squeezed anyone before.
She pulls away, gathering the silk fabric of her dress into her hands and saunters out, shutting the door behind her.
The bathroom door clicks open. “Can I come out yet?”
“Yes.” I whip around only to find Jensen standing in the doorway, a white towel wrapped around his waist. His body glistens, his hair sopping wet from the shower. Humid, soap-scented air escapes behind him and travels my way. I point toward a stack of clothes Dane had delivered, all of them in Jensen’s size. He has enough to last him the next few days as well as an envelope of cash, so he can buy more next time we’re in town.
Watching Jensen slip on a pair of boxer briefs, a white t-shirt, and a pair of blue satin pajama pants, a slow smile drags across my lips. He snaps the waistband of his pants and throws me a teasing wink. “It’s like we’re an old married couple now. Getting ready for bed together. Going to bed together.”
“It’s going to be weird sleeping together all night.” More importantly, though, I can’t wait to wake up next to him in the morning. “And the other night doesn’t count.”
“Of course not,” he says, strutting across the room toward me. He stops just before the bed, glancing down into my eyes and taking my face in his steady palms. “This is only the beginning. I plan to wake up next to you for the foreseeable future. Maybe even longer.”
“How romantic.” I roll my eyes.
“Look, I’m not good with this mushy shit. You know I want to be with you.” Jensen leans down, grazing his lips across mine before pressing them hard and depositing a single, feverish kiss that makes my stomach twirl.
“I want to be with you too.” I swallow air, trying to catch my breath. “But you�
��re moving to L.A. I’ll be in Salt Lake City for school. Just don’t say you want to be with me, when you know we won’t be together a few weeks from now. Don’t get my hopes up.”
He takes the spot next to me, dragging his fingers down my arm until he finds my hand. Our fingers lace. “We’ll make this work. I promise, Waverly. I don’t know how, but we will. We’ve come too far.”
I swallow the burning lump in my throat and blink away misty eyes that cloud my vision. This should be a happy moment. Like Bellamy said, we’re free. I’m not marrying Harold. I’m temporarily taking refuge in a palace fit for a queen. No longer will I live under my father’s thumb, making careful life choices all in hopes of making him proud.
I’m free to love whomever I want, and right now, I love Jensen Mackey.
His fingers leave mine, tracing my collarbone and then up the crook of my neck until his mouth lowers into my flesh. His teeth rake across my skin, biting and sucking, mixing pain and pleasure, which is fitting, because that’s exactly how I feel right now.
My face nudges toward his, craving his lips against mine once again.
“Did you hear me earlier?” He breathes his words into my ear, laying me on my back and climbing over me. “I told you I love you. I’ve never said that to anyone before, and I said it to you.”
“I love you too.” My hips widen, my stomach zips, anticipating the pressure of his hardness pressed against my core.
Jensen’s mouth claims mine, his hands cupping my face as his body weighs me down, grounding me more than he realizes. “I told you, Waverly. I know everything, and I know we’re going to find a way to be together.”
EPILOGUE
One year later…
I study the tattoo on the inside of my wrist: a dandelion drawn in black with seeds scattering to the wind. It was Jensen’s idea. He said I was a dandelion when he first met me—stubborn, rooted, determined. Little by little I loosened up, and the second I was ready, I scattered to the wind, the best parts of me becoming free to explore the world around me.
“Looks good,” he says, examining my wrist in his hand. “Healing up nicely. We’ll have to take a picture of it for the website.”
I flick my wrist around, and the sparkling diamond on my left finger catches the light. He proposed last March, during spring break. It was just the two of us in our tiny campus town apartment. There was no romantic speech. Jensen’s not like that. But he did speak from the heart, and all I needed to hear was, “I can’t live without you, Waverly.” I don’t remember much about what he said after that because I felt the same way. Nothing else beyond that mattered.
“Want to get a bite to eat?” Jensen rubs his stomach as he sprawls across our bed messy bed.
“Why don’t I make you something? You worked late last night.” I climb out of bed, but he pulls me back, planting his mouth against the crook of my neck and nipping my skin.
He left for eight weeks last summer to intern with a tattoo artist in L.A., and then returned to work on finishing his apprenticeship with a local Campus Town parlor. In a couple more years, when he’s licensed, Dane’s going to front him enough money to start his own place wherever we eventually decide to settle down.
“Eggs. Pancakes. Hash browns,” Jensen says, releasing me. “But I’m helping. I’ll be damned if I have you slaving over a hot stove.”
We haven’t been back to Whispering Hills since last year, when everything when down. Several months into my first semester at college, I stopped looking over my shoulder. It was as if one day, I realized no one was coming after me and everything was going to be okay. I haven’t heard from my family, and I’m sure I’m as good as dead to them now. Jensen and Bellamy are the only family I have left now, but that’s okay. They’re all I need.
One of these days, when the time is right, we’ll go back for the rest of our siblings. They’re innocent and unsuspecting now, but their day will come, and Bellamy and I will find a way to save them.
“Finals coming up?” Jensen studies the calendar taped to the side of the ‘fridge as he grabs a carton of eggs. He squints as he checks the expiration date and then sets it next to the stove. Watching a man all barefoot and shirtless in the kitchen is a sight I never thought I’d find sexy in a million years, but Jensen has defied all that.
“Yep, next week is dead week, then finals.” I grab a spatula and nonstick pan, setting them gently across the glass cooktop.
Jensen pulls salt and pepper from the cabinet and grabs an egg. It’s barely noticeable cradled in his palm, and with one fluid crack it slides into the pan. “As long as you’re free this weekend…”
“What’s this weekend?”
“Remember? L.A.? We’re going to visit Jaxon?” He sprinkles pepper over the egg, followed by a few shakes of salt.
“That’s right.” I shake my head, remembering our weekend getaway to visit the guy who mentored him last summer. They’ve become good friends since then, Jaxon taking Jensen under his wing. You’d have thought they were brothers, judging by how well they hit it off. “And then the weekend after that is Bellamy’s girls’ weekend in Puerto Vallarta.”
“Still not sure why my presence is required on that one, but I’m not one to turn down a free trip to Mexico.” Jensen leans over, kissing my forehead. He flips the eggs, and rakes his fingers through his messy, dark hair. His delicious lips pout just so, and his Adonis lines are entirely too inviting, but I’ve got class this morning.
“I’m sure Dane will have you golfing and doing guy things,” I say.
“I’m sure Dane has every second of every minute of that trip planned.” Jensen laughs, his hand raking his smooth chest. Sure, Dane’s a control freak, but I kind of like that about him. Plus, he keeps Bellamy content and grounded. He’s good for her.
I push his arm. “Oh, stop.”
Jensen plates the eggs and carries our breakfast to our little nook with our two little tables. Our apartment is small, and at times, crowded, but it’s ours. We’re free to live and laugh and kiss and make love and dream with zero rules and nobody looking over our shoulders.
“When we get back, maybe we can start planning our wedding?” Jensen shrugs. “Gotta nail you down before you wise up and realize you deserve better.”
“Wedding’s already planned.” I flash a smug half-smile.
“Oh, yeah? When were you going to tell me this?”
“You gave me free reign, remember?” I glance at the clock above us, mentally calculating how much time I have before I miss the bus. “Something small, at Dane’s estate. Just us, Bellamy and Dane, and a handful of close friends from work and school. I’ll wear a simple white sundress and you’ll wear… whatever you want. A justice of the peace will marry us, and I’ll carry a bouquet of pale pink peonies. That’s it.”
“Honeymoon?”
I rise, taking my dish to the sink and returning to kiss his delectable mouth. “Surprise me. I trust you.”
Jensen pulls me into his lap, catching me off guard. “Date. I need a date. Can’t plan a honeymoon without a date.”
“October eleventh.” I smile.
“It’s a date.” I attempt to climb off him, but he pulls me closer, refusing to let me go. “Watching you leave each morning is the hardest part of my day, but knowing you’re always going to come back to me makes it bearable.”
I breathe him in, my future husband. He’s my heart and soul, my insides and out. I live for him, and I know he lives for me. In a few short months, we’ll make it official, and no one will ever get to tear us apart again.
The End.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
AMAZON BESTSELLING AUTHOR Winter Renshaw recently celebrated her third 29th birthday. By day, she wrangles kids and dogs, and by night, she wrangles words. She loves peonies, lipstick, and balmy summer days. Chips and salsa are her jam, and so is cruising down the highway with the windows down and the air blasting while 80s rock blares from the speakers of her Mom-UV.
She would describe her writing style as
sexy, conflicted, and laced with heart. Her heroes are always alpha and her heroines are always smart and independent. HEA guaranteed.
You can friend Winter here: www.facebook.com/winterrenshawauthor
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Special thank you to Katrina, my right hand gal slash plotter and beta reader extraordinaire.
Thanks to the lovely and talented Louisa Maggio for making this breathtakingly gorgeous cover. You knocked it out of the park once again, Lou!
Thank you to Becky Rendon, for beta-ing this book not once but twice, and to all my ARC readers for your unwavering support. You’re all a bunch of dolls and angels, and I’m lucky to call you mine. ;-)
A million thanks to Amber with Wyrmwood Editing for squeezing me in last minute and putting a rush on my order. You’re amazing. That is all.
Thank you to my beautiful mother for listening to me vent when things got hard and for watching the kiddos while I work. Love you.
Many kudos to my loving husband for your unconditional encouragement. I’m sorry I laughed when you ran into the wall after your LASIK surgery, but I’m not sorry I videotaped you talking in your sleep. ;-)
Thanks to all the authors and bloggers who have lent their support and friendship. You’re all ridiculously awesome and wicked smaht, and I’m grateful to know you.
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